Golfer Disqualified for Meat-Related Doping

Swiss golfer Mathias Eggenberger was retroactively disqualified from the World Amateur Championship after eating meat contaminated with a growth stimulant.

Swiss golfer Mathias Eggenberger was recently disqualified from the World Amateur Championship after breaking the International Golf Federation’s (IGF) anti-doping policy. Eggenberger competed in Mexico this September on Switzerland’s golf team. After a recent performance-enhancing drug (PED) test came back positive for prohibited substance clenbuterol (a growth stimulant), the IGF threw out the player’s scores and adjusted the team’s score to reflect Eggenberger’s disqualification. “In Mexico, clenbuterol is still used in animal breeding,” Eggenberger said. “As other athletes have been tested positive in Mexico in the past on this substance, it became evident that this was also the reason in my case.” Following a vegan diet—which many athletes including football player David Carter, surfer Tia Blanco, and boxer David Haye have chosen for ethical, environmental, and health reasons—is a surefire way to ensure compliance with anti-doping laws.